Spotlight on Emergency Management in the Midwest Gascoyne

Former Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police and Head of Royal Commissions into major bushfires, Mick Keelty, will be in Geraldton as headline speaker for an Emergency Management Conference being held at Queens Park Theatre on June 30.

Mr Keelty will highlight the key lessons for the sector drawing upon several major recent Inquiries such as the 2012 Coroner's Inquest into the response of emergency services to the London Bombings of July 2005; the 2012 NZ Royal Commission into the Christchurch Earthquake and Pike River Mine Explosion ad well as the Victorian Royal Commission into the Black Saturday Bushfires and the Perth Hills Bushfires.

He will be joined by International Recovery Professional Sally McKay, CEO Bank of IDEAS Peter Kenyon, Business Continuity Expert Nathaniel Forbes from Singapore, experienced Emergency Management Practitioner Greg Scroope, emergency practitioner and academic Lewis Winter, Vic Bliss from Brookfield Rail and Martin North, Harbourmaster from the Geraldton Port Authority.

The conference is being organised by the Mid West Gascoyne Local Government Emergency Management Network.

Konrad Seidl, inaugural Chair of the Network, said the high calibre of speakers will enhance awareness and knowledge of key players in emergency management.

Mr Seidl said the formation of the Network is a great opportunity to build capacity across the Mid West and Gascoyne in terms of preparing, responding and recovering from disasters that can impact the region’s communities.

“Similar collaborative partnerships have proven successful in other parts of the country and in the South West,” he said.

“Some of the benefits will be realised through local knowledge and the skills and experience on offer from the various local governments participating.

“Cross boundary matters such as communication and access to emergency management training can be addressed through collaborative funding applications,” said Mr Seidl.

He said support for major incidents could be streamlined by establishing stronger relationships and understanding of key emergency considerations of each local government area.

“A key Network outcome will be communication to and from the District, and State Emergency Management Committees and the WA Local Government Association on matters concerning Policy and Legislation.”

Maurice Battilana, Chapman Valley CEO, is deputy chair and brings significant experience in Local Government and Emergency Management highlighted through his involvement with the Carnarvon floods and fires in 2010 and 2012.

The network is supported by a successful funding application through the Western Australian Governments AWARE program and is sponsored by Western Power, Geraldton Port Authority and Brookfield Rail.

Tickets for the Conference are available for $100 and the registration brochure is attached. Registrations close Friday, June 13.

Accommodation can be arranged through the Geraldton Visitor Centre. To book your ticket please complete the Registration Form (last page in brochure) and email to Johannes Muller at the City of Greater Geraldton via johannesm@cgg.wa.gov.au.

For further information contact City of Greater Geraldton Manager of Law and Safety, Konrad Seidl, on konrads@cgg.wa.gov.au or by calling (08) 9956 6600.